Method and apparatus for cleaning the electrodes of a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly

1 . A method of operating a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a burner startup request,

energizing an electrode assembly of the fuel-fired burner assembly for a predetermined period of time in response to detection of the burner startup request, and

supplying fuel to the fuel-fired burner after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energizing step comprises energizing the electrode assembly to combust matter accumulated thereon.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the electrode assembly comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from one another to define a gap, and

the energizing step comprises applying power to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to generate a spark in the gap.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the supplying step comprises advancing fuel into the gap.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the energizing step comprises energizing the electrode assembly in the absence of fuel.

6 . An emission abatement assembly, comprising:

a particulate filter,

a fuel-fired burner positioned upstream of the particulate filter, the fuel-fired burner having an electrode assembly,

an electronically-controlled fuel delivery assembly operable to deliver fuel to the fuel fired burner, and

a controller electrically coupled to both the electrode assembly and the fuel delivery assembly, the controller comprising (i) a processor, and (ii) a memory device electrically coupled to the processor, the memory device having stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

detect a burner startup request,

energize the electrode assembly of the fuel-fired burner assembly for a predetermined period of time in response to detection of the burner startup request, and

operate the fuel delivery assembly to supply fuel to the fuel-fired burner after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

7 . The emission abatement assembly of claim 6 , wherein:

the electrode assembly comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from one another to define a gap, and

the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to apply power to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to generate a spark in the gap for a predetermined period of time in response to detection of the burner startup request.

8 . The emission abatement assembly of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to operate the fuel delivery assembly to advance fuel into the gap after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

9 . The emission abatement assembly of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to idle the fuel delivery assembly during the predetermined period of time thereby preventing fuel from being delivered to the fuel-fired burner.

10 . A method of cleaning fouled surfaces of an electrode assembly of a fuel-fired burner of an emission abatement assembly, the method comprising the step of energizing the electrode assembly for a predetermined period of time prior to introduction of fuel into the fuel-burner.

11 . The method of claim 10 , wherein:

the electrode assembly comprises a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from one another to define a gap, and

the energizing step comprises applying power to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to generate a spark in the gap.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the energizing step comprises energizing the electrode assembly in the absence of fuel being supplied to the fuel-fired burner.